Inspired ideas aren't innate—you need to cultivate them. With just four strategies, you can open the floodgates of innovation and creation.

Creativity and ideas are my currency as a novelist. I've written three best-selling books, and each of them started with a burst of inspiration. The beginnings of my first novel came to me while I was cleaning under my bed; the idea for my second hit me as I was getting on a subway; and a crucial part of my latest book was conceived while attending an event at my hometown library. I know these might seem like odd places to be struck by a big idea, but there's a method to this madness. So whether you are hoping to dream up a killer concept for a new business, compose an unforgettable song, or attain some other lofty goal, give these four simple tips a try and I bet they'll serve you as well as they have me.

1. Make creativity a habit.
Top choreographer Twyla Tharp has said that being creative is "not a once-in-a-while sort of thing. Being creative is an everyday thing." That's why lots of writers sit down at their desk each morning and don't get up until they've finished a scene or reached a certain word count. Their only secret is that they do it every day. Carve out space in your home and in your schedule to be creative.

2. Don't be afraid to imitate.
Picasso's early paintings were inspired by Cézanne. A whole breed of pop stars say they are inspired by Madonna. When I started writing, I was awed by Stephen King's ability to create a creepy atmosphere and John Irving's knack for crafting quirky characters—and I did my best to emulate both, which helped me to develop my own skills. Whatever you want to do, someone out there has done something similar before. Study them—hell, even mimic them—to help you as you find your own path.

3. Hang with a creative clique.
You know how you eat better and work out more when you're surrounded by health-minded friends? Or how you see the world in a brighter light when you hang with people who have a good attitude? Well, the same goes for creativity. When you spend time with others who approach life with imaginative energy, it has a way of rubbing off on you. So seek out friends who inspire you to be more inventive and to expand your skill set (and mindset) in new and exciting ways.

4. Accept that good ideas evolve.
There are moments when I sit with my hands poised over the keyboard worrying that a scene I'm writing sucks. But self-sabotaging thoughts wreak havoc on creativity. I shut them down by writing the scene anyway and telling myself I can always fix it later. You can do the same with the first draft of a presentation or even your plans to make over your living room. The next time your inner critic says you're not good enough, face your fear by knowing you'll improve as you go. Creativity is a process that moves you forward iteration by iteration.

John Searles is the author of the best-selling novel Help for the Haunted, out in paperback this month. Find him on Twitter at @searlesbooks and on Facebook here.